Cistern cut-off



oct- 20, 1925- Filed May a, 1925 Elam nu Patented Oct. 20, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CISTERN Application filed May 6.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES P. OLSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sanford, in the county of Seminole and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cistern Cut- Oifs, of which .the following is a specitication. I

This invention relates to devices for directing rain water into a cistern and has for its object the provision of means wher'e-' by the water flowing from a roof will be diverted to one side until trash and dirt have been eliminated and will then be automatically directed into the cistern. The invention also has for its object the provision of means for the stated purpose which will automatically restore the cut-01f device to its initial position after the cistern has been filled. Other objects of the invention will appear incidentally in the course of the following description, and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved cut-off device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention,'I employ a casing 1 which is substantially elliptical in plan view and is provided at its ends with depending outlets 2 and 3. The outlet 2 is a discharge outlet which will permit the water to flow onto the ground and will also permit the escape of sand and like foreign matter which may be carried with the water. The outlet 3 is intended to be coupled by a pipe 4 or the like with a storage cistern. Between the outlets 2 and 3, a float chamber 5 depends from the main casing and is in communication therewith, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Pivot-ally mounted within the casing 1 centrally above the float chamber is a valve or cut-off plate 6 which will direct the water into the outlet 2 or the outlet 3 according to the direction in which it is tilted. The pivot rod 7 which carries the cut-off is provided at one end externally with a crank handle 8 and pivotally mounted upon the casing above the said crank handle is cur-o'er.

1925. Serial No. 28.451.

a latch 9 adapted to engage the free end of the handle so that, when the cistern is full, the device may be set so as to turn all the water into the outlet 2 and prevent further flow into the cistern. This device will be utilized in seasons of excessive rain and will be found etlicient to prevent overflowing of the cistern. In seasons of scanty rain or only normal flows, the latch 9 will be maintained out of engagement with the handle 8, as will be understood.

The valve or cut-01f plate 6 is provided centrally with a small opening 10 therethrough and within the float chamber 5 is a float 11 which is preferably a hollow ball but may be of any preferred construction, this float being connected with one end of the cut-oif plate by a stem 12, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The bottom of the float chamber is closed by a removable cap 13, having a small vent opening 14 through its center, so that, if needed, access may be had to the float chamber for cleaning or repairing anyrof the parts.

Secured within the casing 1 at the ends thereof are inwardly projecting deflectors 15 which are of dished formation and extend slightly downwardly so that their lower free ends are within the paths of the respective ends of the valve. Across the upper end of the casing is secured a screen 16 whereby leaves, sticks and other solid matter which may be washed from the roof will be prevented from passing into the casing with the water. The casing is connected with the down spout 17 by hangers or side plates 18 secured at their lower ends to the side of the casing and at their upper ends to the down spout, as clearly shown. This arrangement leaves an open space between the end of the spout and the screen 16 through which any leaves, trash or other matter which may collect upon the screen may be easily removed.

The weight of the float obviously will overbalance the valve so that it will normally assume the position. shown in full lines in Fig. 2 resting at its lower end upon the edge of the outlet 2 at the upper end thereof and resting at its upper end against the under side of the deflector 15 which is over the outlet 3. When water flows through the down spout 17, it will, of course, pass through the screen 16 and will be directed by the deflectors 15 onto the valve or cut-off plate 6, flowing down the same into and through the outlet 2. Some of the wa ter, however, will pass through the opening 10 into the float chamber and, as it willaccumulate in said chambeinthe float. 11 will! gradually be raised andeventually will ef fect a complete tilting of the valve" so that it will assume the position shown in dotted,

lines in Fig. 2 and will direct the water into the cisterm Ordinarily, the flow of water through the opening will be so gradual th t all dirt, will bev eliminated before the valve 01' cut-off plateis reversed and, therefore, only clean, water will flow into the cis.-

tern. When. the, down, fall of water ceases,,

the water which has accumulated in the float chamber will seep. therefrom through the vent 1'4, and it is to, be noted, that this vent is veny small so that the leakageof water will be exceedingly sl'ow andthe liability of thefioat descending and returning the valve to the position showm in. full lines in Fig, 2 before the cistern is filled will be practically eliminated. As the waterleaks from the float chamber, the, float, of course, will descend and eventually will return the cut-off" to its initial position so that, when the rain again falls, thefiow initially will be through the outlet 2 and dirt which may. be washed from, th'eroofwill be. prevented from pass ing: into the cistern. The device is exceedingly simple in the construction and arrangemen't'of its parts and will operate efli cien'tl'y and; automatically, the; Construction being suchthatf the device is, not apt; to get a central opening, there being a vent in the bottom of the float chamber, and an imperfoi a-te float in the float chamber connected with one side of the tiltable valve whereby to normally direct water into one outlet.

2 A device for the purpose set. forth comprising a casing, a plurality of outlets, in the bottom of the casing, a float chamber between the outlets, deflectors extending downwardly and inwardly within the casing from, the ends thereof at the top thereof, a,

tiltable cut-ofipl'ate mounted in the casing above and extending entirely across the float chamber and adapted to engage at its ends with either deflector and within the outlet ajt-the respectively opposite side of the easing, an imperforate float within the float chamher, andfa connection between the float and one end of the valve, the cut-off plate havinga, central opening therethrough topermit some water to drain into the float chamber and the float chamber having a vent in its bottom.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature;

JAMES P. OLSON. [11. s]? 

